Uncover Amy Adams' Cinematic Magic

Lowest-Rated Films

"Serving Sara" (2002) was Adams' lowest-rated film with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 4%. In this comedy, attorney Joe Tyler works with Sara to get back at her husband during their divorce proceedings. However, reviewers found the laughs to be scarce. As Hank Sartin wrote for the Chicago Reader, "Romantic comedy ought to have some romance and laughs, but this extraordinarily flat effort has neither."

"The Wedding Date" (2005) also received a low score of 11%. In this film, Kat hires a male escort as a wedding date to make her ex jealous. Most critics considered it a forgettable and boring affair. James Berardinelli wrote for ReelViews, "This is a charmless, lifeless affair that had me leaving the theater in a mood more appropriate to a funeral than a wedding."

Middle-Ranked Films

"Underdog" (2007) had a Rotten Tomatoes score of 14%. After a lab accident, a beagle becomes a crime-fighting superhero and falls for Polly Purebred voiced by Adams. The majority of film critics thought it was cute but too formulaic. James Rocarols wrote for BBC, "At just over 80 minutes it feels not so much like a proper film as a piece of extended filler for slow afternoons on Disney’s TV channels."

"Cruel Intentions 2" (2000) scored 18%. In this prequel, Kathryn Merteuil attends an upscale prep school and plays mind games. The direct-to-video prequel was originally meant to be a TV series, and critics felt it suffered from the format change. Ted Murphy wrote for Baseline Hollywood, "If he intended to produce a straightforward two-hour original prequel, the writer-director would have made certain that the script was less meandering."

"The Ex" (2007) also had a score of 18%. In this film, Tom starts a new job and realizes his boss was his wife's high-school sweetheart. Adams had a brief appearance as Abby March. Although some critics admired the acting, the film was largely panned for its over-the-top plot. Hap Erstein wrote for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Braff has a natural likability, but the screenplay gives him so many stupid, far-fetched and annoying things to do that ‘The Ex’ loses credibility quickly."

Highest-Rated Films

"Catch Me If You Can" (2002) is Adams' highest-rated film with a score of 96%. Based on a true story, it details the life of con artist Frank Abagnale Jr. Adams had a supporting role as Brenda, a young nurse. With a winding narrative and charismatic leads, it was praised across the board. Nev Pierce wrote for the BBC, "Spielberg rediscovers his sense of fun with this funny, frivolous con caper."

"Enchanted" (2007) scored 93%. When Princess Giselle falls from Andalasia into Manhattan, she struggles to adapt and befriends a cynical lawyer. Led by Adams' energetic charm, the movie was hard for critics to resist. Joe Morgenstern wrote for The Wall Street Journal, "Like the Cinderella figure she plays in Disney’s ‘Enchanted,’ Amy Adams spreads a contagion of delight. The movie is great fun, but she’s enchanting."

"Arrival" (2016) had a score of 94%. When an otherworldly spaceship makes contact, linguist Louise Banks attempts to communicate with the alien species. Reviewers praised it as an intelligent and affecting science-fiction film. Will Leitch wrote for The New Republic, "'Arrival' plays with your head as gently as any sci-fi thriller I can remember."

"Her" (2013) scored 95%. In this film, writer Theodore develops romantic feelings for his artificially intelligent computer system. Adams had a supporting role as his neighbor. Thoughtful and warm, it was praised for its clever send-up of romantic-comedy tropes. Geoffrey Macnab wrote for the Independent, "It is a sweet-natured and melancholy film, beautifully directed, that manages to be satirical about love in a digital, distracted age without losing its heartfelt quality."

"The Fighter" (2010) had a score of 91%. In this sports drama, Micky Ward hires his half-brother as his boxing coach. Adams starred as Micky's girlfriend. With brutal action sequences and a talented cast, it was a hit with critics. Danielle Solzman wrote for Solzy at the Movies, "The performances from Christian Bale, Melissa Leo, and Amy Adams in ‘The Fighter’ are the very definition of a masterclass in acting."

"American Hustle" (2013) scored 92%. Inspired by a true story, it follows con artists as they get into trouble with the mafia. Critics called it an imperfect but electrifying crime film. Katie Smith-Wong wrote, "The story stumbles ever so slight but it is ultimately fun, brilliantly acted and incredibly stylish."